Topical Bible: God: Appearances of To Israel

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Throughout the biblical narrative, God makes several significant appearances to the people of Israel, revealing His character, covenant, and divine will. These theophanies, or visible manifestations of God, are pivotal moments in the history of Israel and serve as foundational events in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

1. The Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1-6):
One of the most iconic appearances of God to Israel is His encounter with Moses at the burning bush. While Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, God appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush that was not consumed. God called Moses by name and instructed him to remove his sandals, for he was standing on holy ground. This theophany marked the beginning of God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. God introduced Himself as "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14), establishing His eternal and self-existent nature.

2. Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16-20):
God's appearance on Mount Sinai is a profound moment where He establishes His covenant with Israel. The mountain was enveloped in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire. There were thunder, lightning, and a thick cloud, and the sound of a very loud trumpet. The people trembled, and Moses led them out of the camp to meet God. The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit, where He gave the Ten Commandments and the Law, forming the basis of Israel's covenant relationship with God.

3. The Pillar of Cloud and Fire (Exodus 13:21-22):
During the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, God manifested His presence as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. This continuous theophany provided guidance and protection, demonstrating God's faithfulness and His role as the divine shepherd of His people. "By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night" (Exodus 13:21).

4. The Tent of Meeting (Exodus 33:7-11):
God's presence was also manifested in the Tent of Meeting, where Moses would speak with the LORD face to face, as one speaks to a friend. The pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent while the LORD spoke with Moses. This intimate communication underscored the unique relationship between God and Moses and highlighted God's desire to dwell among His people.

5. The Glory of the LORD (1 Kings 8:10-11):
When Solomon completed the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. The priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple. This manifestation signified God's approval and His dwelling among the Israelites, affirming the Temple as the central place of worship and sacrifice.

6. The Vision of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-5):
In the year that King Uzziah died, the prophet Isaiah saw the LORD seated on a high and lofty throne, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, calling to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth" (Isaiah 6:3). This vision of God's holiness and majesty commissioned Isaiah as a prophet and emphasized God's sovereignty and purity.

These appearances of God to Israel are not merely historical events but are deeply theological, revealing God's nature, His covenantal faithfulness, and His desire to be in relationship with His people. Each theophany serves as a reminder of God's ongoing presence and His redemptive plan for humanity.

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Judges 2:1-5
And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you to the land which I swore to your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.
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Library

The Essence of God Never Appeared in Itself. Divine Appearances to ...
... for the control of the children of Israel, or yet ... clear, that those words and bodily
appearances which were ... the incarnation of the Saviour, when God was said to ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 11 the essence of god.htm

Of the Invisible God, who Has Often Made Himself visible, not as ...
... one man, while the multitude beheld the awful appearances. For the people of Israel
believed Moses, not as the ... which enjoined the worship of one God was given ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 13 of the invisible god.htm

The Fall of Solomon
... may say, to recount its history, but to tell God's dealings with Israel,"a very ... If
we would remember God's appearances to us and for us, and meditate on His ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the fall of solomon.htm

Third and Fourth Appearances of Jesus.
... Third and Fourth Appearances of Jesus ... who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before
God and all ... him.21 But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxvii third and fourth appearances.htm

Ninth and Tenth Appearances of Jesus.
... the things concerning the kingdom of God [this shows us ... Jesus spoke many things at
his appearances beside the ... thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxliii ninth and tenth appearances.htm

The Golden Calf
... people who said, 'These be thy gods, O Israel!' Aaron seems ... A poor, inconsequential
attempt to save appearances and hallow sin by writing God's name on ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the golden calf.htm

Be not Deceived; God is not Mocked.
... They put on false appearances, they use empty words ... adversity drives them to the
living God for guidance ... because he allowed the children of Israel to provoke him ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter ii be not deceived.htm

Of a Good Government in External Things, and of Having Recourse to ...
... life thou stand not in outward appearances, nor judgest ... the tabernacle to ask counsel
of God; thou shalt ... that Joshua and the children of Israel were deceived ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxxviii of a good.htm

The Thirty-Eighth Chapter: the Right Ordering of External Affairs ...
... as is ordained and instituted by God, the great ... are not content simply with outward
appearances, if you ... read, Joshua and the children of Israel were deceived ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the thirty-eighth chapter the right.htm

The Bush that Burned, and did not Burn Out
... representation of the preservation of Israel, even in ... of the symbolical accompaniments
of divine appearances, all of ... in symbol some truth about God, and not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bush that burned and.htm